The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye is a book that offers the story of a solider. The story starts with after the death of his parents, young Ashton Pelham-Martyn is brought up as a Hindu in a remote corner of British India. As an adult soldier he returns to India, where his love for a princess and his dual heritage make for an epic story of adventure and romance. A nice read and the book is quite engaging.
